Apparatus and method for attaching a graft ligament to a bone

Abstract

A novel fixation system for fixing a graft ligament in a bone tunnel. The fixation system comprises an interference screw comprising a body having a distal end and a proximal end, screw threads extending longitudinally along the body, and a transversely-extending region formed in the body for receiving a transverse pin therein, whereby to securely lock the interference screw, and hence the graft ligament, to the bone. In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, there is provided a method for attaching a graft ligament to a bone, the method comprising the steps of: (i) drilling a tunnel in the bone; (ii) positioning the graft ligament in the bone tunnel; (iii) placing an interference screw in the bone tunnel so as to force the graft ligament laterally against the opposite side of the bone tunnel; and (iv) advancing a transverse pin transversely through the bone and through the interference screw so as to securely lock the interference screw, and hence the graft ligament, to the bone. The present invention can also be applied to attach other objects to bone, e.g., a bone fragment to bone.

1. A fixation system for fixing an object to a bone tunnel, the fixation system comprising:
 a transverse guide assembly; 
 a bone screw, wherein the bone screw is adapted to engage both the object and the bone tunnel, the bone screw comprising:
 a body having a distal end and a proximal end and a central lumen extending longitudinally along the entire length of the body, wherein the proximal end comprises a keyway, screw threads extending longitudinally along the body, and a transversely-extending region formed in the body, wherein the keyway comprises an angular orientation relative to and aligned with the transverse-extending region; and 
 
 a transverse pin, wherein the transversely-extending region is formed for receiving the transverse pin therein, wherein the pin is headless and resides entirely within a transversely-extending tunnel, wherein the a transversely-extending tunnel is aligned with the transverse-extending region. 
 
     
     
       2. A system according to  claim 1  wherein said transversely-extending region comprises a hole formed in the body of the bone screw. 
     
     
       3. A system according to  claim 1  wherein said transversely-extending region comprises a bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
       4. A system according to  claim 1  wherein said bone screw comprises a plurality of transversely-extending regions. 
     
     
       5. A system according to  claim 4  wherein said transversely-extending regions are spaced from one another about the circumference of the bone screw. 
     
     
       6. A system according to  claim 4  wherein said transversely-extending regions are spaced from one another about the longitudinal axis of the bone screw. 
     
     
       7. A system according to  claim 1  wherein the proximal end of the body of the bone screw has a keyway formed therein so as to permit (i) driving of the bone screw, and (ii) association with the transverse guide assembly for placing the transverse pin through the host bone and through the transversely-extending region formed in the bone screw, whereby to securely lock the bone screw, and hence the object, to the bone. 
     
     
       8. A fixation system for fixing a graft ligament in a bone tunnel, the fixation system comprising:
 a transverse guide assembly; 
 an interference screw wherein the interference screw is adapted to engage both the graft ligament and the bone tunnel, the interference screw comprising:
 a body having a distal end and a proximal end and a central lumen extending longitudinally along the entire length of the body, wherein the proximal end comprises a keyway, screw threads extending longitudinally along the body, and a transversely-extending region formed in the body, wherein the keyway comprises an angular orientation relative to and aligned with the transverse-extending region; and 
 
 a transverse pin, wherein the transversely-extending region is formed for receiving the transverse pin therein, wherein the pin is headless and resides entirely within a transversely-extending tunnel, wherein the a transversely-extending tunnel is aligned with the transverse-extending region. 
 
     
     
       9. A system according to  claim 8  wherein said transversely-extending region comprises a hole formed in the body of the interference screw. 
     
     
       10. A system according to  claim 8  wherein said transversely-extending region comprises a bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
       11. A system according to  claim 8  wherein said interference screw comprises a plurality of transversely-extending regions. 
     
     
       12. A system according to  claim 11  wherein said transversely-extending regions are spaced from one another about the circumference of the interference screw. 
     
     
       13. A system according to  claim 11  wherein said transversely-extending regions are spaced from one another about the longitudinal axis of the interference screw. 
     
     
       14. A system according to  claim 8  wherein the proximal end of the body of the interference screw has a-keyway formed therein so as to permit (i) driving of the interference screw, and (ii) association with the transverse guide assembly for placing the transverse pin through the host bone and through the transversely-extending region formed in the interference screw, whereby to securely lock the interference screw, and hence the graft ligament, to the bone.